Sunday, November 27, 2011

The 99% and Sociological Imagination

I am 42 years old, with a graduate degree. I am one of the lucky ones. I work three jobs. I am a teacher, an interpretr, and a braille processor. I work as much as I can because I am the sole support of my household, and I am the only one with health insurance. We live paycheck to paycheck. I am lucky, but I too am part of the 99% OCCUPYWALLST.ORG
"I am 42 years old, with a graduate degree. I am one of the lucky ones. I work three jobs. I am a teacher, an interpretr, and a braille processor. I work as much as I can because I am the sole support of my household, and I am the only one with health insurance. We live paycheck to paycheck. I am lucky, but I too am part of the 99%"

Why desire for economic security is not being met- She works 3 jobs and has a graduate degree, yet still lives paycheck to paycheck.
More fair situation- Improved health care plans and even taxing (between the 99% and the 1%).
Relates to social class- This woman most likely used to think that hard work and degrees would make her successful in the world, but even 3 jobs and a graduate degree is not enough for her to provide for her family.
Chose this image- I chose this image because its scary to think that people as successful as this woman struggle in the world.

My name is Abby. I am a highschool student, turning 18 in seven months. Never before have I been more ashamed or frightened to be an American. We need to change this before we all crash and burn. Do your part, occupy EVERYWHERE. 
"My name is Abby. I am a highschool student, turning 18 in seven months. Never before have I been more ashamed or frightened to be an American. We need to change this before we all crash and burn. Do your part, occupy EVERYWHERE."
Why desire for economic security is not being met- Frightened to be an American adult because the economy is so shaky.
More fair situation- Occupying will help demand economic rights like equal taxing between the rich and the poor.
Relates to social class- Students think that with proper education and hard work, they will do okay in the real world. But, this is hardly the case.
Chose this image- I chose this image because it shows how scared students are to become an adult enter the real world. This girl is ASHAMED to be an American, all because of the economy.

I have been silently watching a revolution unfold. Reading the stories of others. Relating to some, crying for others & being thankful that, although I face my own struggles & fight my own battle, it is not as burdensome as others. I am 37 years old. I have spent the majority of my adult life disenchanted & angry because my grandparents taught me that the “American Dream: was achievable. Yet, no matter how hard I’ve tried, I’ve been unable to achieve mine. As much as I miss my grandparents & could truly use their wisdom in my life right now (not to mention their warm hugs, love & family bond), I am glad that they did not live long enough to witness the destruction of the country & ideals that they fought for. I know they would be heartbroken to learn that faith, loyalty & heard work are no longer valued & rewarded in America. Last year, at a time in my life where it would seem all hope was lost, I chose to believe that my grandparents were right when they told me that I could do anything & be anything, as long as I was willing to do the work to achieve my goals. So, I took a leap of faith & I moved my family into a new apartment, despite having no job, & I began the process of getting myself re-enrolled in cosmetology school. I chose to follow my passion & my dream. I found a new job & accepted a wage far below that which I am accustomed to, but found a way to make it work. I lived on a tight budget & slowly began to climb back out of (some of) my debt. I started school & began to have hope, once more, that I really could achieve everything I dreamed of. But now the debt is mounting again. When you’re forced to live on a budget & can’t afford to put money into savings, all it takes is one unexpected expense to push you back out into the deep in, struggling to tread water. So now I am back at square one, trying to find a way to move forward. I’m living paycheck to paycheck, supporting 2 teenage boys (one in college!) on an income I haven’t had to live off of since 2000! Earlier in the year we qualified for food stamps (a little relief), but now that my oldest is 18 they want to count his part time job as “household income” & factor his $400 per month into our budget. Still waiting to hear back on that, but I have a feeling this will push us over the “poverty line” & we’ll lose that little bit of assistance. I receive child support for my 15 year old, but the meager $346 per month ($250 court ordered + $96 to go towards the over $6000 in arrears from when he quit paying for 2 years) is hardly 1/2 the cost of raising a child. I have mounting medical expenses & need a surgery that I can’t afford (despite having decent insurance). And recently my 15 year old’s depression took  turn for the worse, prompting me to seek out more “specialized” therapy, which (of course) is not covered by his insurance & is costing me $115 per session, out of pocket. Through all of this I am watching the company I work for slowly dissolve & I fear it will eventually go under. When I accepted my position last December I became the 4th person in a department that really could have used 5 people. Today we are down to 2 people - me & my former supervisor. She was demoted & her pay severely cut… “restructuring”. She’ll be gone soon, just leaving me. They won’t re-hire. And the likelihood of receiving a raise in pay to compensate for the growing work load is extremely slim. I just hope the company holds on until I can finish school. But again…. there are people worse off than me. I know this. I remind myself of this every single day. But how am I supposed to give my sons hope for their futures & instill in them even a glimmer of the faith that my grandparents instilled in me when there are no longer examples to point to of men & women who worked hard & believed in themselves & achieved their dreams… successfully? How am I supposed to convince my depressed 15 year old son that their is something worth fighting for & that we really are some of the “lucky” ones?
Why desire for economic security is not being met- She cannot pay off her student loans and does not feel like she is providing the best life for her sons.
More fair situation- Improved child support benefits (benefitting the many, not the few), improved student loan systems.
Relates to social class- This mom also thought that hard work and education would make her successful. Now she realizes that one unexpected expense can push her off the edge and force her to live paycheck to paycheck.
Chose this image- I chose this image because I think it shows that the American Dream is not achievable for many people. Even if people try incredibly hard to receive education, it still may not be enough.


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